Medical electrode

• US 4,137,909 A
• Filed: 08/01/1977
• Issued: 02/06/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Conmed Corporation (Jefferies Financial Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: NDM, Inc.
• Inventors: Hix, Ernet T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cohen, Lee S.
• Application Number:
  US05/820,838
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 128/2.06 E, 128/2.1 R, 128/404, 128/410, 128/411, 128/416-418, 128/DIG. 4
• US Class Current: 600/392
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0215 Silver or silver chloride containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2562/0217 Electrolyte containing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/25 Bioelectric electrodes therefor

Abstract

A medical electrode for attachment to the skin of a patient has a cup member forming a cavity for containing an electroylyte. The cup member has a base portion which is movable inwardly of the cup member so as to contract the interior volume of the cavity and in so doing displace the electrolyte outwardly of the cup member for contact to the skin of a patient. In a modification, the configuration of the base of the cup member allows an electrode conductor to be supported out of contact with the electrolyte until the base portion is moved to displace electrolyte outwardly of the cup member.

Claims

1. In a medical electrode of the type adapted to be adhered to the skin, said electrode having means defining a cavity receiving an electrolyte and having an opening adapted to open to the skin, and having conductive means at the base of said cavity for allowing external connection to said electrolyte, the improvement wherein said means defining a cavity comprises a wall surrounding said base and said electrolyte and means supporting said base and said conductive means in a first position rearward with respect to said wall for an expanded volume of said cavity and for movement to a second position inwardly of said wall to reduce the volume of said cavity and thus press said electrolyte outwardly of said cavity through said opening for engagement with and compression against the skin, said means supporting said base resisting return of said base from said second position to said first position.

2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said means supporting said base comprises a first arch portion integrally attached to said surrounding wall and arching inwardly of said cavity and a second arch portion arching rearwardly of said cavity from said first arch portion and integrally joined to said base, the direction in which said second arch portion arches reversing upon movement of said base toward said second position, said reversing of the direction in which said second arch portion arches causing said second arch portion to resist a return of said base to said first position.

3. The improvement of claim 2 wherein said first and second arch portions cooperate to support said electrolyte remotely from said conductive means in said first position.

4. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said means supporting said base and said conductive means in a first position supports said conductive means remotely from said electrolyte and, in said second position, supports said conductive means in contact with said electrolyte.

5. The improvement of claim 1 wherein said base, said surrounding wall and said means supporting said base are integrally formed, and said conductive means passes through said base.

6. In a medical electrode of the type adapted to be adhered to the skin, said electrode having means defining a cavity receiving an electrolyte and having an opening adapted to open to the skin, and having conductive means affixed to the base of said cavity for allowing external connection to said electrolyte, the improvement wherein said means defining a cavity comprises a wall surrounding said base and said electrolyte, and means joined to said wall and to said base for supporting said base in a first position remote from said skin and, upon application of a pressure to said base, shifting said base to a second position closer to said skin to reduce the volume of said cavity and thus press said electrolyte through said opening against the skin, and means joined to said wall and to said base having a curvature which reverses upon movement of said base from said first position to said second position so that said means joined to said wall and to said base resists return of said base from said second position to said first position.